Viatris Korea celebrated 25 years of Lipitor (atorvastatin) sales in Korea, highlighting its pivotal role in dyslipidemia treatment and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) prevention at a press conference in Seoul on Wednesday.

After its launch in 1997, Lipitor became the top-prescribed statin in Korea by 2018, a position it has maintained robustly over the years.

Lipitor has been a robust option for both primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery diseases and other cardiovascular events.

Professor Sripal Bangalore from the New York University School of Medicine highlighted the landmark status Lipitor has achieved through randomized placebo-controlled trials, demonstrating its effectiveness in reducing cardiovascular risks significantly compared to other statins.

"Lipitor has not only altered the clinical landscape of dyslipidemia treatment but continues to be a recommended first-line therapy in various international guidelines," Bangalore said. "Our experience with Lipitor over the years also supports its strong cardiovascular outcomes, which is vital as LDL-C continues to be a primary risk factor for cardiovascular diseases globally."

Professor Bangalore also highlighted the drug's versatility and ongoing relevance in current medical practice.

"Lipitor has set a benchmark in the treatment of dyslipidemia through landmark clinical trials such as CARDS, which specifically demonstrated its benefits in patients with diabetes by significantly reducing cardiovascular risks," he noted.

Discussing the future role of Lipitor, Bangalore expressed optimism about the continuous impact of the medication on global health.

"As we look forward, the role of Lipitor in clinical settings remains crucial, especially given the rising prevalence of dyslipidemia in populations worldwide, including in Korea," he stated. "It is important to adapt treatment strategies to evolving healthcare needs."

In detail, Bangalore referenced the tailored approach that Lipitor offers for individual patient needs, citing specific studies. "

"In the AT-GOAL study involving Korean patients, different starting dosages of Lipitor were adjusted based on individual risk profiles and LDL-C levels, showing adaptability in clinical practice to maximize patient outcomes," he said.

During the conference, Viatris Korea Country Manager Bill Schuster expressed his deep emotion regarding Lipitor's journey.

"Reflecting on Lipitor's journey is incredibly moving," Schuster said. "Treating one million patients annually in Korea is not an easy achievement, and I believe that Lipitor will continue to make a significant contribution to Korean patients."

Viatris is fully committed to the Korean patients, and it will continue to seek innovative solutions moving forward, he added.